Gusset type envelope or file



Oct. 29, 1940. J'. H, MQLAREN Gussm1 TYPE ENvELoPE 0R FILE Filed Dec. 6, 1938 INVENTOR Jafz Mld/@l2 M ATTORNEYS Registered Oct. 29, -1.94()

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to gusset type envelopes or files.

y Such envelopes are provided with gussets at the ends and bottom to permit the envelope to ex- 5 pand and with aps which fold over the top and par-tially cover the front. Envelopes of this type when subjected to hard usage often tear on the fold line between the iiap and the back wall of the envelope and also at the top of the fold connecting the rear fold of the gusset to the back wall.

This invention has for its salient object to provide a reinforcement for the gusset and ap to strengthen the envelope at the points or on the lines specified.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reinforcement of the character specified so constructed and arranged that it can be incorporated in the envelope blank and can be secured im with practically no additional cost for material and labor.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following specification taken in connection with the drawing, which forms a part of this 25 application and in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of a blank for a gusset envelope having formed thereon reinforcements of the character embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view-of one of the bottom corners of the envelope, parts being broken away to show the assembled positions of the folds; l

Fig.3 is a perspective View of the upper end of one of the gussets showing the reinforcement 35 secured in position;

Fig. 4 is an elevational View of one of the lower corners of the envelope showing in dotted lines the gusset formation; and

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of one of the 40 upper corners of the envelope with the reinforcements in place.

The invention briefly described consists of a gusset type envelope having at each edge an extension of theiiap which when folded forms the outer wall of the end gusset, the extension being so constructed and arranged that it can be folded inwardly and secured in such a manner as to reinforce the fold line between the upper portion of the end gusset and the back wall of the envelope and, furthermore, so constructed that a portion of the extension can be secured to the upper end of the rear wall and the lower end of the flap connected thereto in a manner to reinforce the line of connection between the flap and the rear wall.

Further details of the invention will appear from the following description.

In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated, there is shown in Fig. 1 an envelope blank comprising a front wall portion A, a rear wall portion B and a flap C. The wall portions A and B are connected by a portion D which when folded forms the bottom of the envelope, the bottom being in the form of a gusset.

The Wall portion A has formed thereon at its 10 ends or lateral edges flaps I0 and II having fold lines Xon which these flaps are folded longitudinally to form gusset walls.

The bottom portion D has projecting laterally from the ends thereof tabs I3 and I4 and the portion D has extending longitudinally thereof vand also longitudinally of the tabs an intermediately disposed fold line Y on which the portion D and the tabs are folded to form the bottom gusset and portions of vthe end gussets.

Portion B of the envelope blank has formed thereon at its ends or lateral edges laterally projecting flaps I5 and I6 having longitudinally extending -fold lines Z, Z which are alined with the fold lines X, X.

The flap C has formed thereon the customary fold lines to permit the iiap to be folded along different lines, depending on the amount of expansion of the envelope.

Each of the side iiaps I5 and I6 which when folded form the outer walls of the end gussets, has formed thereon and projecting beyond the upper end thereof an extension comprising portions E and F. An inclined fold line 2| is formed between the upper edge of the side flap I5 or I6 and the portion E and a fold line 22 is formed intermediate the portion F and the portion E, the fold line 22 preferably being perforated since the portion F is severed from the portion E after the reinforcement has been glued in place, as hereinafter described.

A fold. line 23 is formed intermediate the ends of the portion F, this fold coinciding or registering with the lowermost fold line between the flap C and the portion B. Portion F may have a plurality of scores or fold lines 24 tov register ,with lines 20 on flap C after portion F has been secured in place.

The portion E of the extension also has formed therein fold lines 25 and 26 which register with the line joining the flap I5 or I6 to the back portion B of the envelope and with the fold line Z after the reinforcement has been folded and se-A cured in position.

The blank is folded to form the envelope in the thereof.

following manner: The bottom D is folded longitudinally along the line Y to form the bottom gusset of the envelope and the end tabs I3 and I4 are folded upwardly along the lines joining -these tabs to the bottom- D and are also folded along the intermediate fold line Y.

'I'he end fiaps ICI and II are then folded along the fold lines X, X and the end aps I5 and I6 are folded along the fold lines Z, Z.

The front portion of the envelope A is then folded at right angles to the bottom of the enve-V lope, a V-fold 21 being formed at each end of the bo-ttom gusset. The iiaps III and II forming the inner walls of the end gussets are then secured in position by the adhesive on the inner surfaces of the tabs I3 and I4, these tabsbeing glued to the outer surfaces of the flaps I and II which, as stated, form the end gussets.

From the showing in Fig.y l it will be noted that adhesive is coated on the inner surfaces of the flaps I and I6 and on the inner surfaces of the extensions at the end thereof which form the portions E and F.

'Ihe flaps I5 and I6 are folded along the lines Z, Z and are then secured to the outer surfaces of the gussets formed by the flaps I0 and II andat their lower ends to the outer surfaces of the tabs I3 and I4.

When the flaps have been so secured the extensions project upwardly along the upper ends Each extension is then folded downwardly on the fold line 2I and the portion E is secured to the inner surface of the upper end of the gusset, or more specifically, to the inner surface of the upper end of the inner wall of the gusset formed by the iiap I0 or I I. When folded it will be noted that the portion 30 of the part E beyond the fold line 25 is secured 4to the upper lateral edge of the rear wall B of the envelope, as shown particularly in Figs. 3 and 5.

After the portion E has been secured in position in the manner described, the portion F is folded upwardly along the fold line 22 and is secured to the upper edge portion of the back wall B and the lower edge portion of the ap C which is joined to the wall B.

After the portion F has been so secured the end gusset is opened or pulled away from the back wall B, thus severing the portion F from the portion E along the perforated line 22.

After the extension has been folded and secured in the manner abo-ve described, it will be evident that the upper end of the fold line between the ap I5 or I6 and the rear wall B of the envelope is reinforced by the portion E and tab formed thereon. Furthermore, it will be evident that the portion F forms a reinforcement for the fold line between the flap C and the rear wall B at the lateral edges thereof.

Although one specific embodiment of the invention has been particularly shown and described, it will be understood that the invention is capable of modification and that changes in the construction and in the arrangement of the various cooperating parts may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, as expressed in the following claims.

What I claim is:

l. A gusset envelope blank having portions arranged to form the front and rear walls, bottom and ap, the rear wall portion having gusset forming flaps at the lateral edges thereof, each of said flaps having an extension projecting beyond the upper edge thereof connected to the flap along a fold line and .comprising two portions connected together on a severable fold line, each of said extensions having adhesive on its inner surface and having one po-rtion arranged to be folded downwardly and be secured to the inner wall of the gusset and to the lateral upper edge of the rear wall, the other portion being arranged to be folded upwardly on the said severablefold line and to be secured to the adjoining portions of the lateral ends of the rear wall and ap.

2. In a gusset envelope having a back and cover flap and aps at the ends of the back folded to form gussets, each nap having an extension folded downwardly and secured to the inner upper end of the gusset and a portion connected to and forming part of said extension and secured to the back adjacent the upper lateral ends thereof and bridging the fold between the back and cover plate.

3. In a gusset envelope having a front, back and cover flap, gusset forming flaps at the ends of the front and at the ends of the back, said flaps being folded to form gussets and the gusset flaps of the front being disposed inside the gusset flaps of the back, the gusset flaps of the back having extensions at the upper ends thereof folded downwardly inside the gussets and secured thereto, said extensions having portions extending across the upper corners of the back and reinforcing the lines of connection between the back and gussets at the upper ends thereof and between the back and cover plate.

4. In a gusset envelope having a front, back and cover and naps at the ends of the back folded to form gussets, each flap having an extension folded downwardly and secured to the inner upper end of the gusset, a portion connected to and forming part of said extension and secured to the back adjacent the upper lateral ends thereof and another portion secured to the upper lateral edge of the back and to the lower adjoining edge of the cover flap.

5. In a gusset envelope, a front, back and cover flap, side or end fiaps at the lateral ends of the back, said end flaps being longer at their inner edges than at their outer edges and each flap having a fold line below the top and inclined outwardly and downwardly, the upper end portion of each flap being folded downwardly and inwardly around the upper end portion of the gusset and extending across the line of connection between the back and end flap reinforcing this connection.

JOHN H. McLAREN. 

